Manchester United will be Aberdeen's opposition in a benefit match for former Dons midfielder Neil Simpson on 14 August at Pittodrie Stadium. Simpson played under United manager Sir Alex Ferguson when he led the Dons to the European Cup-winners' Cup in 1983. Organising committee chairman Bob Bain said: "Sir Alex was delighted to help out his former player." Bain expects Ferguson to bring a strong team to Aberdeen for the match for his former midfielder. "Even though the game is just a few days before the start of the EPL season, he has given assurances he will bring as strong a squad as possible," said the organiser. "Given who the opposition is, allied to the fact Simmy is such a fans favourite, there's no doubt the stadium will be rocking for what will undoubtedly be a fitting occasion for a true AFC legend." United, who were runners-up in England's top flight last season, open their league season away to Everton on 20 August. Come the friendly in Aberdeen, the home side will have already faced reigning Scottish champions Celtic and promoted Ross County in the Scottish Premier League. Former Scotland international Simpson, now 50, is presently a youth coach at Pittodrie. He made more than 200 appearances for the Dons and was part of two Scottish title-winning campaigns and won three Scottish Cup and one Scottish League Cup winners medals. Simpson, who went on to play for Newcastle United and Motherwell, was also part of the team that famously beat Real Madrid in the Cup-winners' Cup final in Gothenburg. ------------------------------------------------ Fitting tribute to a great player. Nice one simmy Nice one son Nice one simmy Lets have another one STAND FREE
I have seen quotes from a certain FFansite that are upset with Alex Ferguson for taking United there after "that" tackle.
Yellow at worst [video=youtube;YGvEj8pDHJ4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGvEj8pDHJ4&feature=player_embedded[/video]
He wasn't actually very good. As is often the case it's not always the top players that make the best managers. As for the wumming about Durrant, Simpson effectively ended his own career with that tackle. If I remember rightly he had just broken into the Scotland squad around that time. He was never the same player again. The pity was Durrant was possibly the last Scottish player who had the potential to be a really major talent. Despite being part of Aberdeen's Euro winning team Simpson was just a journeyman who outside of Aberdeen is now only remembered because of the tackle.
dundee united organise a "friendly" with their only rivals in football for whatever reason Aberdeen organise a match with Man Utd for a former player for no reason worried about next season's income much?
Rangers broke the Scottish transfer record signing someone that played in the same position..... He fair set the heather on fire at every other club he went to didn't he.
A bit like Rangers,allthough they were a half decent side but now defunct, they will also only be remembered for their cheating.